In A Dark PLace

Death stalks me in the places I know best. Strolling boldly amidst idle thoughts, weighting heavily on infrequent flights of fancy, robbing judgment of its purpose and reason of its surety.

Unabashedly brazen in broad daylight whispering not unsurprisingly with  a serpent-like lisp in quiet solitary moments, both annoyingly subtle and slyly untruthful, with tales of dark peace, silent joy and the cold comfort of eternal isolation.

Shouting with incoherent clarity above the roars of the ignorant crowd belying their eager joy and mocking laughter. Spreading the lies of ultimate victory and bloodless revenge, of pain inflicted on the unknowing the un-forgiven and the so soon forgotten.

Even in the distance, at the best of times, it taunts with memories of hopelessness dreams of despair and the broken promises of futures  that are yet to behold.

Hope is yet a distant twikling star, resolve a shrinking violet in an ever lengthening night, uncertainty a lone unwavering unwanted companion.

Faith…. grim, meager, battered, is all I have…….so Life goes on.

Enlightenment

 In the darkest place a light still glow,
illuminating hope that shows
neither obstacle foe nor word or deed
will stand before the women’s seed.

In such a light the truth will be
the key to freedom for the free.
Who sought the truth and hold it dear,
then let it shine from year to year.

For those who dwell in darkness deep
the light can seem a far retreat,
but those who speak their heart’s desire,
will see the King and soon acquire
the taste of freedom that they seek
for all those both merciful and meek.

So soon the darkness will have fled
to find a place that all should dread.
Replaced by light forevermore
the truth revealed from shore to shore.

For on the throne revealed at last
the light that will obscure the past
the King of Kings, a King for all
the Lord of Lords, on whom we call.

 

When

Light the candles of remembrance and open the dust covered pages of faces both friendly and forgotten. 

Spend time in earnest and sincere prayer for troubled minds and wounded souls. 

Mourn for opportunities lost and roads taken without peace or purpose.  

For one last hour, weep,  for hearts hardened by the injustice and cruelty of lies and deceit.

For in a time that is near and in a moment that is soon to come,the wounds and regrets of this life will be left behind. The pangs of doubt and hours of anxious uncertainty will pass away and all that has been promised will be given. Those that love God will hear his call..All who wait on the Lord will wait no longer. For that final trumpet will sound and the way shall be opened.

All who yearn for the presence of God will leave this place of shadow and darkness,and enter into everlasting light.

All those that have sought the will of the Father, will stand on the shores of the sea called forever,and set foot at the place called beautiful. that sits at the foot of the mountains of glory.

All that have suffered the torments of the unnamed host,will journey up the river of life and walk on the plains of forgiveness, which are called “sorrows end”.

All that have called on the name of the Lord will see the valley of the presence of God and weep tears of joy.

All that have slept in the arms of righteousness will rise and walk to the place of gathering,called “the hall of laughter” and greet their generations.

  

All that have worn the armor of God, and brandished the sword of the Spirit will kneel at the throne of the Lamb, and receive the blessing of praise

All that have defended the faith willstand with the hierarchy of messengers,and weld the power of God
 

All who love God and recognize his sacrificewill rejoice and sing praises to the Lamband hear the universe resound in harmony.

All the beloved of God, Who have loved the coming of the son of man,and wear the white linens of the saints.will walk along the shores of the timeless riverand climb the ladder of Jacob to the plateau of light,to stand in the place called wonderful wherein stands the abode of the almighty,and they shall dwell in the house of the Lord.

All who have claimed the blood of the Lamb Will stand in the holy presence of almighty God hear his voice and know everlasting peace endless joy and perfect love.

In a time that is near  and in a moment that is soon to come.

                                                                    REA’02
 

Above Us

 How high are the thoughts of the Lord and high far do they reach? What star can he not quicken or consume, what mountain is not his to raise or make low?  What sea is so deep as to confound his gaze?  What man’s soul can he not save? How bountiful are the fields of the Lord and how green are his pastures? How wide are his rivers and how pure are his streams? Can he not feed every nation with a single harvest,  can he not fill every cup in a season? His herds roam all the plains of the earth and his fowl darken the spring skys. His nets gather the untold bounty of the sea and no man need go unfed. How great is the glory of God and how endless is his mercy? What miracles cannot be wrought in his name, what life cannot be changed? What nation cannot be led out of despair and darkness?Whatever he has spoken will surely come to pass!!! Praise the Lord and be happy in his service. Praise the Lord and know his perfect will.

Where

BEYOND CHILDISH SCREAMS, AND WICKED SMILES
FAR FROM HOPE AND DREAMS, AND MORE THAN MILES                                              THERE LIES A PLACE BOTH FAR AND NEAR                                                                     WHERE BRAVE WILL COWER AND BOLD WILL FEAR

DOWN THE ENDLESS STAIR IN A SMOKY GLOOM
PAST A GUARDIAN PAIR AND THE WATCHERS DOOM
THROUGH THE HALL OF SCREAMS BY THE BLOOD STAINED STAKES
LIES THE PORTAL WHERE THEY AWAIT THEIR FATE

NOW QUIET HERE AT MONSTERS KEEP
THE MOST FEARED PLACE IN ALL THIS DEEP
WITH RAGE AND FANGS AND CLAWS AND IRE
THEY’VE BROUGHT THE SLEEPERS TO THE FIRE

CONTEMPLATION OF A LIFE LIVED WELL
IS A TASK FOR THOSE WHERE OTHERS DWELL
HEREIN THEY LIVE BY FLIGHT AND FRIGHT
PERSUADED BY THEIR MASTERS MIGHT

 THROUGH INKY BLACK THE FEARFULL TREAD
WTIH RAGGED BREATH AND GROWING DREAD                                                              IN CHAINS THAT CHAFE ON THIS WELL WORN PATH
THE DISTANT SOUNDS OF WAR AND WRATH                                                                     

DOWN DOWN ON DOWN LORD HOWLERS HOLE
WITH WINDS SO FIERCE THEY RIND THE SOUL.
AROUND THE BEND AT BREAKERS STEEP
INTO THE CAVERN THAT THEYSEEK 

                                                                         

WITH BODIES BROKEN AND SPIRITS MEEK
THERE IS NO THOUGHT OF JOY OR PEACE
BEFORE THEM IN THIS GLOWING DIM
HOW HIGH HOW WIDE HOW DEEP THEREIN

 TOO FAR FROM LIGHT TOO NEAR THE DARK
THERE LIES A GATE OFIRON WROUGHT                                                                           BY TIME AND PAIN AND HATE AND HEAT                                                                         GUARDED ONLY BY THE FLAMES IT KEEPS

WITH STUMBLING STEPS THEY ENTER IN
THE HOPELESS ONES AND THEIR HOPELESS KIN
ABANDONED BY WHAT THEY THOUGHT THEY KNEW
NOW THE PRICE THEY OWE HAS COME FULL DUE

PASS QUICKLY OVER THE BRIGDE OF PAIN
AVERT YOUR GAZE FROM THE LAKE OF FLAME
A BUBBLING SEA OF BLUE BLACK PITCH
WHERE BODIES WRITHE AND BONES STILL TWITCH

AT LAST THEY STAND AT THE TOWER GRIM
A MONUMENT TO THAT UNNAMED HIM
WHO STOOD BEFORE THE LORD OF ALL
AND THUS BEGAN HIS MIGHTY FALL

SO LISTEN NOW AND LISTEN WELL
TWOULD BE BEST TO AVOID THIS HELL
SO FAR BEYOND THOSE CHILDISH SCREAMS
SO MANY MILES FROM HOPE AND DREAMS

                                                                         REA’04